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Kosciusko County will receive federal aid to help with weather-related expenses, county commissioners were told Tuesday.
Kosciusko County Highway Department Engineer and Superintendent Rob Ladson told the commissioners federal disaster funds will be made available for 18 counties in Indiana, including Kosciusko County.
The funds will supplement emergency response efforts to December's winter storms.
Ladson received some information on how the funds will be distributed and for what expenses the funds will reimburse, but he was not told how much the county will get. Two years ago, under a similar relief effort, the county received $44,000.
The week of Feb. 12, Ladson said, he will attend an informational meeting regarding the funds.
For the county to receive funds, the highway department will have to pick a 48-hour period from Dec. 11 to Dec. 30 for which they want to recoup funds. Whatever 48-hour period the highway department chooses, other county agencies, such as the sheriff's department, must use the same 48-hour period. The minimum expense for reimbursement is $1,000.
Any local government in the county with questions may contact Ladson for more information about the federal reimbursement, he said.
Ladson also told the commissioners that when he first began working for the county, the Motor Vehicle Highway budget had to be on two different forms - one form for maintenance and repair and the other for general and undistributed funds. Along with County Auditor Sue Ann Mitchell, Ladson asked the state board of accounts in South Bend if the MVH budget could be put on one form. They approved, but the Indianapolis office "disavowed" the MVH budget because it wasn't submitted on two forms.
However, the state board of accounts allowed the county highway department to use the money until they used two forms and had the county council reapprove it, which the highway department will do in March.
Bridge 267, on the east side of Lake Wawasee near Enchanted Hills, is open, Ladson reported, but the work on it is "not entirely complete" due to delays that are not the contractor's fault. The contractor is R.L. McCoy.
"I feel they've done an excellent job and they've kept me informed," Ladson said.
The commissioners approved waiving any penalties that may have been due because of the work not being finished on time.
On the CR 350W project, Ladson said, proposals from consultants are due back to the highway department by Feb. 23. The proposals must include three options. Any questions or concerns about the project can be directed to Ladson at the highway department.
Commissioner Ron Truex wanted to let concerned residents know the commissioners haven't forgotten about having a public meeting on the project, but they are still gathering information.
For several years, the county's had federal funds for work for roads in the area of CR 350W. Ladson discovered late last year that the money was there.
With the money, the county can upgrade CR 350W; build a new road and bridge from Old 30 to Park Schramm Road over Tippecanoe River; and put in a new road from Park Schramm Road to Crystal Lake Road, including an overpass for the railroad.
In December, the commissioners reaffirmed proceeding with the project "in all three phases and with the use of federal aid." The aid will cover 80 percent of the construction costs but none of the engineering and right-of-way acquisition cost. Since federal aid funds will be used, federal guidelines must be followed.
However, many residents in the area oppose the project.
In other business:
• Kosciusko County Administrator Ron Robinson told the commissioners there is a bill before the state legislators that, if passed, would reimburse the county for county administrator costs. Approximately $20,000 would be reimbursed and the county would need to approve a resolution.
"It'll offset what the expense is now," Robinson said.
The commissioners approved a letter to be written to the legislators in support of the bill.
In other business:
• Ladson presented the commissioners with the highway department's 2000 annual report as required by law. MVH funds the county receives can be withheld if the report is not submitted to the state on time.
• A decision as to whether or not to write a letter in support of a house bill that would restructure MVH funds was tabled so more information could be gathered.
• The commissioners approved bids from Norris Truck Service for a tandem axle cab and chassis truck for approximately $108,000 and two single axle cab and chassis trucks for approximately $84,500 each.
• A deal between the county sheriff's department and the city of Warsaw was approved. The sheriff's department will give the city a truck and Warsaw will pay $6,500.
Kosciusko County commissioners are: president Brad Jackson, vice president Avis Gunter and Ron Truex. They meet at 9 a.m. every other Tuesday in the county courthouse.
